Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira is reported to be keen on Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson.
According to The Sun, the Eagles’ manager is planning a double swoop for the Reds winger along with Ajax defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez.
Vieira is understood to want to freshen up his midfield options ahead of next season and it is claimed the much sought-after Johnson is on his radar.
The rapid Welsh winger has also been the subject of interest from Brentford, who have reportedly had multiple bids rejected by Forest.
Burnley, Leeds United, Leicester City, Everton, Newcastle United, Southampton and Brighton have also been mentioned as being interested in his services.
A huge fans’ favourite, the 20-year-old has scored 10 goals and set up a further five in 33 games in all competition and netted in Forest’s 4-1 demolition of Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round earlier this month.
He could leave the City Ground in the summer if Forest miss out on promotion as he will be entering the final year of his contract next season.
Former Forest striker Glenn Murray said recently that he is “surprised” more clubs didn’t make a move for Johnson in the January transfer window.
“When I look at the group of players they’ve got there, they’ve got a young, energetic squad,” Murray told the BBC Football Daily podcast.
“Brennan Johnson is the hottest prospect in the EFL, he’s absolutely fantastic. A real, real special talent and I was a little bit surprised no one went sniffing around him in January, put a little bit more pressure on them and ask more questions.
“I think the Nottingham Forest fans just got to enjoy this boy while he is a Nottingham Forest player unless they were to get promoted this year.
“But they’ve got Johnson, Worrall, Yates; all Nottingham lads and it shows, I’m sure they tell the other lads what it means. It is a sleeping giant.”
